The ruling on increasing the rows in the funeral prayer

Question:
Is it obligatory for those praying over the funeral to complete the first row, and then the one following it, or is the recommended practice (sunnah) for them to be in three rows, even if the three rows are not completed?

Answer:
Some of the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) issued a ruling, as narrated from them, that it should be three rows, even if they are not completed. However, if it is easy to complete them, that is preferable, following the known method in the obligatory prayer. If completing them is easy, it is preferable and better.

Question : I mean, Shaykh, if they line up in three rows of small children, is that permissible?

Answer: Some of the Companions issued a ruling on this: Malik, and Abu Hurayrah, who issued a ruling on that. However, it is preferable to complete the first row, then the second, and then the last one, if it is easy. But this may not be easy due to crowding, and due to some of the large mosques.

Question : I mean, Shaykh, if the congregation is small, is it permissible for them to divide into three rows, or should they be in one row?

Answer: A group of scholars issued a ruling on this, and it is narrated from some of the Companions. But if they complete the first row, and then start the second, that is better, as in the obligatory prayers.